Mildura: High level rail push

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High level rail push

High level rail push

A NATIONAL coalition of transport groups has urged the federal government to fund a major upgrade to the Mildura rail line to enable the introduction of high speed passenger services and ensure the viability of regional rail freight services.

In a submission ahead of this year?s federal budget, the sustainable transport coalition, which includes Victoria?s Public Transport Users Association (PTUA), has recommended that the federal government?s commitment to infrastructure investment begin with dragging Australia?s rail network out of the steam age and into the 21st century.

?Regional Australians are bearing the brunt of climate change and high global oil prices,? said PTUA president Daniel Bowen.

?A world-class rail network would slash greenhouse emissions and move people and goods more safely, efficiently and sustainably,? he said.

The budget submission states that investing in Australia?s rail network would reduce transport emissions, help overcome infrastructure bottlenecks and capacity constraints in the economy, and help to rein in Australia?s ballooning oil import bill.

The transport groups have called on the federal government to lead investments and upgrades including:

UPGRADING key intercapital and regional rail corridors such as Melbourne to Mildura city centre and Melbourne to Adelaide.

STANDARDISE Victoria?s broad gauge rail network.

UNDERTAKE resleepering, duplication or providing ample passing loops on neglected rail infrastructure.

?The nation?s rail arteries have been left to decay under successive federal and state governments,? Mr Bowen said.

?The government needs to lead a national program to rebuild the rail network connecting our cities, regional centres and ports.?

The call came as another senior oil industry figure warns that within a decade ?easily accessible supplies of oil and gas probably will no longer keep up with demand?.

For more of this story, purchase your copy of Friday's Sunraysia Daily 01/02/2008.